'The Magic Craft of Suzhou' to embrace overseas film-goers in December

The Magic Craft of Suzhou, a documentary about traditional handicrafts in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, recently announced that it plans to complete overseas issuance in December this year.

By visiting 12 cultural heritage practitioners, the film explores the essence of nine crafts that are unique to Suzhou, namely Song brocade, pit carving, colored-lantern making, Ming-style furniture, Suzhou boat snacks, Su Embroidery, kesi (silk tapestry), jade carving, and Xiangshanbang traditional architecture construction techniques.

The craftsmen's dedication to traditional art touched many film-goers when it was premiered in Suzhou on June 28, 2021.

"I'm going to leave for Suzhou right now for some boat snacks and a bowl of sanxia noodles (three shrimps noodles)," said one audience member after the premiere.

Li Hong, general producer of the film and director of the intangible cultural heritage department of the Suzhou culture, radio, television and tourism bureau, said that Suzhou would like to use the big screen to promote its rich culture.

Suzhou has six items inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list and has won 32 national titles, 124 provincial titles, and 172 municipal titles for its culture. The city is also home to 50 national intangible cultural heritage practitioners, 143 provincial practitioners, and 464 municipal practitioners.